A Baltimore native, Ariel Rainey has worked cross-culturally in multiple countries which include Israel, Senegal, France, and currently Spain. She speaks English, French, and Spanish, and she makes Middle Eastern refugees laugh with a little Arabic. Ariel is pastor at International Church: Madrid, where she previously served in other capacities. The church is a missionary endeavor so does not pay her, but it does keep her very busy. She preaches twice weekly and serves in various auxiliary roles for missionary colleagues in Spain and Europe.

IC: Madrid ministers to the homeless, women in prostitution, children-at-risk, and refugees in their outreach program, "These People Care." Ariel is also active in street evangelism, in mentorship of young adults, and in the worship ministry at church. Due to the European refugee crisis, her work impacts not just North Africans but also Bangladeshis, Iranis, Syrians, and other cultures she never would’ve expected. Read her blog at arielrainey.com.

The church just moved into their own location! They previously rented in a movie theater, but could not minister 7 days a week there, so had been searching for something better for years. They found this rent-to-own place which required an immediate renovation. They started in October 2025 and the renovation process was intense. Ariel had to change her own apartment location during this period and dealt with plantar fasciitis in her left heel, all while continuing her ministry as both a pastor and missionary.

Ariel says: “We're excited to see how God is already using the location for His glory! As wonderful as it feels to move in and start using the freshly renovated space, we now have the second phase: purchasing it. We'll need to raise another $250,000 for that in the next year, and I appreciate your prayers for that project. It's going to stretch our faith!”

PRAYER REQUESTS:

• Praise God for providing them a location of their own, as they had desired for years.

• Thank God for a successful renovation project. Her church had saved 100K for this purpose, but that was only half of what it took. God provided the remainder through mission-minded donors.

• Pray for Ariel. She used the stress of the building program as anopportunity to hand off some things and let go of others. Pray that sheoperates in the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.